Release Blitz: Shades by Jaime Reese (Review)

Title: Shades

Author: Jaime Reese

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense

Release Date: May 23, 2018 
Cover Designer: Reese Dante

Life made him dangerous. Love made him lethal.

Killian Marks is a third-generation hitman. After hunting monsters for over twenty years, he lives under no illusions of happily ever afters and fairy tales. Until he meets a man who threatens to disarm him, by giving him hope for a future and showing him there’s more to life than just death.

For Nick, living in shadows is second nature. He’s all too familiar with the dark side of humanity and knows how delicate life can be. Each new day is a gift, even though it means doing it alone. But he’ll risk his survival for the one man who awakens something deep within and leaves him yearning for more.

Nick wants to solve the mystery behind the dark, brooding man, while Killian craves the life and light emanating from Nick. They soon discover they have more in common than either could have anticipated. With both their lives and hearts at stake, they must confront the ghost from Nick’s past intent on tying up a loose end. Only then will they truly find peace, and discover the shades of life in between.

5 Stars!

Nick has been running away and hiding from a mafia boss for the last two years and while he knows he might have to go away again if they find him in Miami, he can't help but be attracted to the brooding man who visits the restaurant he works in, longing to have a chance with him.

By all rights, Killian should be working on retiring from his work as a hired assassin/hitman, but he can't get himself to leave when Nick is there in Miami. When he finally learns what Nick is hiding from, he promises himself and Nick that he will move heaven and earth to keep him safe from the man that is hunting him.

While I have other books by Jaime Reese on my Kindle, lack of time and previous commitments have prevented me from getting to them. Shades was the perfect starting point, seeing as it's a standalone and a great example of why I need to start with the rest of Ms. Reese's backlist sooner rather than later.

I loved Killian, yes, he was an assassin, but he had morals and refused to go after women or children. And really, once I learned about his Sanctuary and how he'd helped out some of the people living there, well, I was sold. Never mind that the way he treated Nick was so swoon-worthy! Nick was amazing, too! I really liked that even when he learned what Killian was, there wasn't any unnecessary angst with that. He felt Killian could be trusted and Killian did everything in his power to prove he was worthy of his trust. I loved that despite the scorching UST between them they didn't rush things, Killian was determined to get Nick's consent before doing anything and it made things even hotter and with more meaning, once they gave in to their desire for each other.

The view into what Killian did with Mr. Gutierrez was really interesting and the whole thing with Petrov trying to get rid of Nick and what Nick, Killian and Dex did to stop him was action-packed and had a satisfying resolution, with just the right amount of violence.

I loved Dex, he was such a hilarious character and a fabulous sidekick for Killian.

Overall, this was a fantastic introduction to Ms. Reese's writing for me. While the story could've been darker, all things considered, I don't think it needed to be. It was fast-paced and entertaining, with an amazing cast of characters and I was absolutely riveted by it from start to the very lovely ending.

Highly recommended!

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

Jaime Reese is the alter ego of an artist who loves the creative process of writing, just not about herself. Fiction is far more interesting. She has a weakness for broken, misunderstood heroes and feels everyone deserves a chance at love and life. An avid fan of a happy ending, she believes those endings acquired with a little difficulty are more cherished.

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